October marks the 17th annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), which is about encouraging increased knowledge of potential computer threats and taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace. As an NCSAM Champion, NNSA is committed to doing its part to ensure a safer and more secure internet. 

The 2020 NCSAM theme “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart” stresses personal accountability and encourages individuals and organizations to take proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity and protect their part of cyberspace.

Wayne Jones, Associate Administrator for Information Management and Chief Information Officer at NNSA, underscores the importance of this annual event.

“So many aspects of our lives are now online, and we’re all more connected than ever,” Jones said. “More people are working, learning, and socializing from home, so it’s important to remain vigilant. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a valuable reminder for us to all assess our online habits and cybersecurity practices.”

Here are a few easy to use cyber safety tips:

• Do not open emails that appear suspicious or are from unfamiliar senders.
• Never click on an unknown link or a link for unsolicited information, and always verify the validity of any website you visit.
• Take the necessary precautions to safeguard your data and devices.
• Keep login credentials secure and when possible, enable multi-factor authentication on your accounts.
• Change your passwords regularly and do not re-use passwords across multiple accounts.
• Avoid using default factory settings on your home router, and choose a new, strong password for your WiFi network.

For more information, please visit www.staysafeonline.org.